Student Rebecca goes behind the scenes on the set of new UCFB TV advert

With the new UCFB advert now hitting screens around the country, UCFB student Rebecca Hawksworth went behind the scenes of filming at Burnley FC’s Barnfield Training Centre to see how the production was put together, and catch a glimpse of a Premier League operation first hand…

To help me build up my media profile, UCFB gave me the fantastic opportunity to travel to Burnley FC’s training ground and help out with the filming of their new TV Advert, which includes cuts of manager Sean Dyche and the Burnley first team’s training session.

The advert was filmed at the training ground over two days and on the second day of filming I had the opportunity to attend, meet Dyche and some of the Burnley squad, watch the training session and of course help gather some of the footage for the new advert.

My main role on the day was to assist with the filming of the behind the scenes footage which showcased how the TV advert was produced. While the Burnley squad were carrying out their training session, I was given a hand-held gimbal camera and was able to follow the camera crew around and film them as they gathered the footage for the advert.

There were so many different video cameras upon which to gather the footage. It was mind-blowing to see just how much equipment was needed for the shoot and the entire goings on behind the scenes – it’s one of those situations where you don’t quite realise how much detail goes into making a TV advert until you’ve actually witnessed it.

The opportunity also gave me the chance to speak to people who are already well established within the media and football industries. Being in a position to have a conversation at length with Sean Dyche for one was inspiring. For a Premier League manager to take interest in what you’re studying and where you aim to be in life, and to then encourage you to aim high and go out and achieve your goals, was a surreal experience. It’s not every day that you get the chance to attend a Premier League training session and meet and have a conversation with the manager. To be given that opportunity was an incredible experience and something that I feel really privileged to have had.

Being placed in that kind of environment, at a training ground surrounded by Premier League players, really helps to motivate you to work hard to be successful and achieve your dreams. With my career aspiration being to one day head the media department of a football club, spending the day at a club carrying out media work was incredible and has really solidified where I want to be in life.